what's with credit card preauthorization charge?

[sapper1]

Not quite correct. HAL will only put the hold on the credit card you choose to provide when doing the online check-in. It isn't automatically the one you used to pay for your cruise. As has been stated here, you also have to option of stating that you'll rather leave a cash deposit at the Front Desk - rather than give a credit card number during the online check-in process.

 

Not quite correct either. I had an experience last year where we took a 20 day Panama repo cruise followed by an Alaska cruise on the same ship. My husband paid for the first cruise and his credit card was registered for that cruise.

I was treating for the second cruise so I registered my credit card for the second cruise. (Different brand of credit cards).

 

As we started the second cruise we got a letter saying "for our convenience" the bill would be continued on and be billed to my husband's credit card. I got a printout and all our charges and OBC credits were mixed in together.

I had quite an argument with the front desk and pointed out I had registered two different cruises with two different cards for a reason and I shouldn't have to sort out which of us paid for what and who got which credits after we got home.

 

It took three days and several trips to the front desk to get a printout showing where they had gone back and separated our two cruise charges and credits and used the registered cards.

 

Before someone jumps in and says there probably wasn't enough credit on the second card, there most definitely was much more than enough. HAL just couldn't be bothered to switch over.

[RuthC]

Not quite correct.

Sorry. :o Your post hadn't appeared when I started typing.

[Mary Ellen]

Not quite correct either. I had an experience last year where we took a 20 day Panama repo cruise followed by an Alaska cruise on the same ship. My husband paid for the first cruise and his credit card was registered for that cruise.

I was treating for the second cruise so I registered my credit card for the second cruise. (Different brand of credit cards).

 

No, you missed my point that HAL doesn't automatically put the hold on the credit card to which you charged the cruise.

 

The Front Desk seems totally incapable of handling anything remotely out of "normal". You gave them out of normal.

[sapper1]

No, you missed my point that HAL doesn't automatically put the hold on the credit card to which you charged the cruise.

 

The Front Desk seems totally incapable of handling anything remotely out of "normal". You gave them out of normal.

 

Right. You said they put the hold on the card used for online registration. I used two different cards for online registration of two different cruises. It should have been simple but they chose to put onboard expenses for both cruises on the same card.

 

I never said they automatically put the hold on the card one pays for the cruise with. I said I was paying for the second cruise myself cruise so I registered my card when I did online registration. They chose not to pay attention.

[dakrewser]

Right. You said they put the hold on the card used for online registration. I used two different cards for online registration of two different cruises. It should have been simple but they chose to put onboard expenses for both cruises on the same card.

 

I never said they automatically put the hold on the card one pays for the cruise with. I said I was paying for the second cruise myself cruise so I registered my card when I did online registration. They chose not to pay attention.

 

No, they put the hold on the guard you present at check-in, not the one you pre-register (which, apparently, serves no useful purpose).

 

Since you only checked in once, they were supposedly "making it easier for you" (i.e., no need to check in again) by extending the charges for the second c ruise.

[sapper1]

No, they put the hold on the guard you present at check-in, not the one you pre-register (which, apparently, serves no useful purpose).

 

Since you only checked in once, they were supposedly "making it easier for you" (i.e., no need to check in again) by extending the charges for the second c ruise.

 

I don't know how to present a "guard" so I won't address that.

 

I had two booking numbers and clearly registered two credit cards. It was their mistake and they didn't make it easier for me.

[momatibm]

No, they put the hold on the guard you present at check-in, not the one you pre-register (which, apparently, serves no useful purpose).

 

Since you only checked in once, they were supposedly "making it easier for you" (i.e., no need to check in again) by extending the charges for the second c ruise.

 

I've not had to present a card at check in since the start of online check in. Is this new since January of this year (my last cruise)?

[jtl513]

I've not had to present a card at check in since the start of online check in. Is this new since January of this year (my last cruise)?

No, you only need to present a card at check-in or the front desk if you wish to change it from what you have pre-registered.

.

Edited August 3, 2015 by jtl513

[TAD2005]

On the HAL website, under FAQ's and also from a live person at Ship's Services, Hal doesn't care which card you list during on-line checkin. The only card they will put a hold on, (and it lasts for the duration of your cruise) is the card you present at the pier checkin. They will offer to use the card you listed at on-line checkin, but you have the option to use that card, or present a different one. The hold will not be placed on your card until you board, at the earliest, and within 24-48 hours of sailing at the latest. They specifically say on the website, that the authorization hold will be placed upon boarding the ship. Not when you do on-line checkin, not days before you board, but only when you physically show up at the pier to board the ship.

[jerseyaxn]

Can you use more than one card or a debit card .you also can give them cash correct?

[TAD2005]

Can you use more than one card or a debit card .you also can give them cash correct?

When you checkin at the pier, you will be asked to present the card (or cards) that you want to use for your on-board purchases (bar tab, hotel service charge, shore excursions, casino chips, etc). The card(s) you listed during on-line checkin can be used, and they will have that information, but you can specify a different card or cards. You can give them 2 (or more) different cards, but you have to specify the amounts you want to be authorized (held) for each card. Sometimes you have two friends travelling in the same cabin, but they want their cabin charges billed to separate cards. No problem, but the minimum amount they will hold on your cards must equal $60, per day/per person. You can specify which person's charges will go onto which card. When you board, a hold will be placed on your card(s) for $60 per day/per person. This is the amount they estimate you will spend on your cruise. At the end of the cruise (the mid-night before debarkation), they will stop your account charging abilities and total the damages, and charge your card against the existing hold. If you exceed the hold, they charge the hold amount plus the extra. If you are under the hold amount, they charge that, and the remainder will eventually fall off of your card. Don't forget to total in the hotel service charges (AKA Tips) that will be billed daily on your cabin account. This must also be paid before you leave the ship on the last day. $11.50 per person/per day in all cabins, $12 per person/per day in suites.

The authorization hold is put on your card to prevent you from going crazy in some port, charging up to the limit on your card. HAL wants to be sure that you will be able to settle up at the end of your cruise, so they grab their pound of flesh at the beginning. Note: the authorization hold will only be placed against the card(s) you present at pier checkin on embarkation day, not the card(s) you list at on-line checkin, months or weeks earlier, even if it is the same card.

Finally, yes you can use strictly cash. At the on-line check-in, you check the box for CASH, instead of providing your card numbers. At pier checkin, on embarkation day, they will ask you for the $60 per day/per person deposit in cash. (note: for cruises longer than 25 days, the hold is $30 per person/per day). You must pay that amount or you may be denied boarding. If you exceed the cash deposit amount during your cruise, you will get a note in your stateroom to visit the purser's desk to increase your deposit. If you do not exceed your deposit in on-board charges, you will get a refund in cash, on the morning of debarkation.

[jerseyaxn]

Sounds reasonable ?So debit cards are ok also John

[richwmn]

Finally, yes you can use strictly cash. At the on-line check-in, you check the box for CASH, instead of providing your card numbers. At pier checkin, on embarkation day, they will ask you for the $60 per day/per person deposit in cash. (note: for cruises longer than 25 days, the hold is $30 per person/per day). You must pay that amount or you may be denied boarding. If you exceed the cash deposit amount during your cruise, you will get a note in your stateroom to visit the purser's desk to increase your deposit. If you do not exceed your deposit in on-board charges, you will get a refund in cash, on the morning of debarkation.

In my experience they are flexible about the amount of cash you must put down toward your account. When the cash option is taken it is noted at check in and you are directed to check with the front desk. That is where they verify the amount of OBC you have and could ask for additional.

[TAD2005]

Sounds reasonable ?So debit cards are ok also John

Hi John, Yes, debit cards are fine, and will be treated exactly like a credit card. The only difference is when they put a hold on your debit card on embarkation day, they are tying up actual funds in your bank. Those funds are not available to you for the duration of the cruise. So, you have to be sure you have a sufficient balance in the account that your debit card is tied to, and that no other debits are planned or scheduled from that account that would reduce your account balance below the hold amount. For example, you have a $1000 balance in the account your debit card is tied to. You board the ship on the first of a month and HAL puts an authorization hold on your debit card for $500. Before you left home, you pre-scheduled a payment for the 5th of the month to debit your account for $600. That payment will be declined, because HAL has $500 of your $1000 total tied up with their hold, and you effectively only have $500 of available funds in your account. If you have overdraft protection on that account, from a savings or other account, then you will be OK, except your bank may charge you a fee for that protection.

When you use a credit card, the authorization hold is placed against your credit line with your CC company, so it is not actually tying up your bank funds. At the end of the cruise, HAL will charge your card (debit or credit) against the hold amount for the actual amount you spent. If you spent more than the hold, they will charge the hold amount plus the difference. If you spent less than the hold, they will charge that amount and the remainder of the hold will fall off. Caution... with a debit card, any excess hold that you have not spent onboard will stay on your card for a period that HAL describes as "depends of bank policy how long the hold remains". So, be careful if you don't spend the entire hold amount while onboard. You may have a few hundred $$ hold still sitting there when you return home, and it may take a while to clear.

[POA1]

Sounds reasonable ?So debit cards are ok also John

Debit cards are okay, but the holds are processed differently at the interbank level. This is because there's usually a daily limit on debit card charges to protect both you and the issuing institution. If you have a debit card with a $400/day limit, or a $1,000/day limit, your card wouldn't take the hold for a 10 day cruise - 2 pax X $60 X 10 days = $1,200 — the entire hold was placed on one day. Normally, the card holder can contact the financial institution, alert them to the situation, and get an exception. However, not everyone knows to do this, and problems arise.

 

If you have a no limit credit card, it's probably your best way to go, especially since a lot of travel protection insurance is usually baked in. But, if you are thinking about using a debit card, just contact your bank and you should be fine.

[TAD2005]

Debit cards are okay, but the holds are processed differently at the interbank level. This is because there's usually a daily limit on debit card charges to protect both you and the issuing institution. If you have a debit card with a $400/day limit, or a $1,000/day limit, your card wouldn't take the hold for a 10 day cruise - 2 pax X $60 X 10 days = $1,200 — the entire hold was placed on one day. Normally, the card holder can contact the financial institution, alert them to the situation, and get an exception. However, not everyone knows to do this, and problems arise.

 

If you have a no limit credit card, it's probably your best way to go, especially since a lot of travel protection insurance is usually baked in. But, if you are thinking about using a debit card, just contact your bank and you should be fine.

You are correct, POA1 ! You need to notify your bank anyway that you will be traveling out of the country, so at the same time, tell them that a HAL ship will be hitting your debit card for a hold of ($60 X number of guests X number of days) on embarkation day and they will be actually charging your card for your estimated amount on the last day. Keep your bank in the loop and they should make sure your debit card is available and un-restricted for those two periods. Get an e-mail for a senior teller at your bank and remind them while you are onboard. If you are using a credit card, the same notification is necessary, but only for fraud protection. Also tell them which countries you will be visiting so they won't block your card, thinking that it was being used illegally.

[Fouremco]

You are correct, POA1 ! You need to notify your bank anyway that you will be traveling out of the country, so at the same time, tell them that a HAL ship will be hitting your debit card for a hold of ($60 X number of guests X number of days) on embarkation day and they will be actually charging your card for your estimated amount on the last day. Keep your bank in the loop and they should make sure your debit card is available and un-restricted for those two periods. Get an e-mail for a senior teller at your bank and remind them while you are onboard. If you are using a credit card, the same notification is necessary, but only for fraud protection. Also tell them which countries you will be visiting so they won't block your card, thinking that it was being used illegally.

I've noticed that a number of Canadian financial institutions are now telling customers that there is no longer a requirement to notify them when travelling. This from the RBC Royal Bank:

 

If you'll be travelling soon and plan to use your credit card or client card, you no longer need to tell us you’ll be away from home. We have industry-leading fraud detection systems that protect you and your accounts from suspicious or unauthorized transactions. Just make sure we have your up-to-date contact information so we can reach you if necessary. To view or update your contact information, sign in to Online Banking and select Profile and Preferences from the Banking tab.

 

I don't know if this is a trend elsewhere, but it means one less item on my "to do" list prior to travelling.

[TAD2005]

I've noticed that a number of Canadian financial institutions are now telling customers that there is no longer a requirement to notify them when travelling. This from the RBC Royal Bank:

 

 

 

I don't know if this is a trend elsewhere, but it means one less item on my "to do" list prior to travelling.

Wow, that's great ! I wish US banks would get with the 21st century and upgrade their card with more security than that 40 year old technology magnetic stripe on the back. It is SO easy to duplicate, and then all you need is a PIN or a zip or postal code. I still will have to notify my bank of all the countries I will be in and approximate dates. It's just the banks doing some CYA, because they are on the hook for some of the losses of fraudulent use.

[Mary Ellen]

I've noticed that a number of Canadian financial institutions are now telling customers that there is no longer a requirement to notify them when travelling.

 

I don't know if this is a trend elsewhere, but it means one less item on my "to do" list prior to travelling.

 

Our US based credit cards started telling us that a few years ago. They also warned us not to take photocopies of our credit cards with us. They suggested we just have the phone numbers (for international calls) with us. They will be able to determine our credit card number from information we know anyway. Having the copies is just one more possible avenue for thieves to access our credit.

[AlaskaBoundCA]

I wish US banks would get with the 21st century and upgrade their card with more security than that 40 year old technology magnetic stripe on the back.

...

It's just the banks doing some CYA, because they are on the hook for some of the losses of fraudulent use.

 

The US is in the process of getting a "bit" better. We're moving over to Chip cards (but NOT Chip & Pin). By October this year, we should be transitioned over.

 

While there's no requirement for cards or merchants to switch over, the fraud liability moves to the side that has not yet implemented the chip.

 

At this point, all my cards have chips, but very few merchants that I use are yet processing them (even though a lot of them now have chip reading terminals, they haven't been activated yet).

[3rdGenCunarder]

I've noticed that a number of Canadian financial institutions are now telling customers that there is no longer a requirement to notify them when travelling. This from the RBC Royal Bank:

 

 

 

I don't know if this is a trend elsewhere, but it means one less item on my "to do" list prior to travelling.

 

My credit card company and bank say we don't have to tell them, but they still have a way to input travel information online. So I continue to tell them about travel plans.

 

Our credit cards have been replaced recently by chip cards, but they're chip-and-sign, not chip-and-pin. In England, merchants and restaurants used the chip and printed something for us to sign or had us sign on the screen. But merchants in the US are still swiping the magnetic stripe.

 

Here's another change: Capital One is now issuing flat cards, no more raised numbers. The raised numbers aren't needed these days. I can't remember how long it has been since a merchant used one of those devices with the slider that embossed credit-card numbers on a paper slip.

[dakrewser]

I've noticed that a number of Canadian financial institutions are now telling customers that there is no longer a requirement to notify them when travelling. This from the RBC Royal Bank:

 

My US bank (Bank of America) told me 3 or 4 years ago that I no longer need to tell them when (and where) I'd be out of the country. And that worked fine until this past May, when my ATM card was denied in the Munich airport (the bank did straighten it out later that day). The real surprise is that I've used that ATM card in that same airport machine each May for 9 years!

[POA1]

The fraud prediction algorithms have gotten really good, especially if you have a decent amount of history with the credit card issuer. Even though we were told that we don't need to call about travel in advance, I still like to. If you are doing a fair bit of fast travel, you can still trip an alert.

[DocF]

Here's another change: Capital One is now issuing flat cards, no more raised numbers. The raised numbers aren't needed these days. I can't remember how long it has been since a merchant used one of those devices with the slider that embossed credit-card numbers on a paper slip.

 

I actually used to deal with two different merchants who still used those cursed things. This was up until about a year ago.

 

Doc

[Blue Mudshark]

Here's another change: Capital One is now issuing flat cards, no more raised numbers. The raised numbers aren't needed these days. I can't remember how long it has been since a merchant used one of those devices with the slider that embossed credit-card numbers on a paper slip.

 

That's the only way my favorite clothier/haberdasher will take a credit card payment. Raised numbers, carbon paper, and a handwritten amount. It goes with the invoice, hand-written in fine cursive handwriting, with the arithmetic done by pen-and-paper.